Oslo  -  Former Norwegian foreign minister Jan Petersen on Wednesday said he was not seeking re-election to parliament next year.

"It is time to call it quits," Petersen, who was elected in 1981 to parliament, told Norwegian news agency NTB.

Petersen, 61, was leader of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 2004, and served as foreign minister in the coalition led by Christian Democrat Kjell Magne Bondevik 2001 to 2005.

Joining the government was one of the main highlights in his political career, he said.

The veteran politician is currently chairman of the standing committee on defence and member of the foreign affairs committee in parliament.

He did not disclose what he planned to do after leaving office, saying only that "I have some ideas." (dpa)